Author Archive: Gareth

Google to slow down on the updates

One important problem with Android is its current fragmentation state. There are various Android handsets out there all running different Android versions. While everyone wants Android 2.2 Froyo, which was recently introduced at Google I/O, that might not happen soon as manufacturers and carriers are having a hard time offering all those updates.
Google is well aware of the problem and it looks like Andy Rubin is ready to commit to just one yearly Android update, not two as we currently have. Here’s what he said on the matter:

We’ve gone through a lot of product iterations because we had to bring the product up to market spec. Quite honestly, the product when we launched it, it didn’t really feel like a 1.0, it felt like kind of an 0.8, but it was a window of opportunity and the market needed an entrant at the holiday season. So we launched it, and from our internal 0.8, we got to 1.0 pretty quickly, and we went through this iteration cycle. You’ve noticed, probably, that that’s slowed down a little bit. Our product cycle is now, basically twice a year, and it will probably end up being once a year when things start settling down, because a platform that’s moving — it’s hard for developers to keep up. I want developers to basically leverage the innovation. I don’t want developers to have to predict the innovation.

Dell Streak arrving tomorrow (the 4th)

The Dell Streak is launching exclusively on O2, and will be available on 24- and 18-month smartphone tariffs, 12-month and 30-day Simplicity tariffs and a range of data-only tariffs.

The 16GB Dell Streak is available for free on a 24-month, £35 a month smartphone tariff, including 600 minutes, unlimited data and Wi-Fi and unlimited texts. At £25 a month over 24 months, the Dell Streak costs £149 with the same text, data and Wi-Fi allowances, but 100 minutes. The 32GB version is available for free on a £45 a month contract over two years including 1,200 minutes and unlimited data, Wi-Fi and texts. On the £25 a month tariff the device costs £249.

On 18-month contracts, the same pricing and packages apply, although the monthly tariff increases by £5 in each case.

Better odds than the bookies at O2

Basically you order a sim card for o2, top up £15, register it (one per person), and then you can either get £5 for each goal England score, or if you don’t like England, £5 for each goal England concede. After the tournament is over o2 will send you a cheque!!! No Penalties though.

O2 subsidiary officially launches with community of 6000 members

Our super podcaster Andy is probably the sole reason for Giffgaff’s continuing sucess but have a read at this little article from Mobiletoday:

People-powered MVNO Giffgaff has officially launched after a six months test run in beta which saw its customer base grow to 3000.

The launch coincides with Giffgaff’s first advertising campaign which the MVNO says has already seen sim sales soar this week and prompted a record number of vistors to its website.

During its test phase in beta which began last November Giffgaff, which is modeled on Wikipedia, has built a 6000 strong community which plays a key role in shaping Giffgaff’s offerings.

The O2 subsidiary, which was inspired by Wikipedia, encourages customers to get involved in the giffgaff  community and rewarded for every contribution they make.This can include helping other members with queries, voicing opinions about how Giffgaff should be run or recommending Giffgaff to friends.

xpPhone at Computex 2010

Yeah… so I remember seeing this … phone on paper about a year ago. JKK has managed to get his hands on the little devil to have a play with and it’s quite a beast. You’ll probably think this is a joke but there is a little company out there in China that believes in this enough. Check out the video.

Double Twist adds Android app

Double Twist have updated that client to include a new Android only music player replacement app to handle your music, video, podcasts and pictures for the PC and Mac.

Initial set up of the PC-based application and syncing files with your Android device will take a while (30-60 minutes or so), so be sure to give yourself plenty of time for that process to work. Once you have synced this information with your phone, all the content you have chosen to sync will now be readily available on your Android device in a convenient all-in-one media powerhouse application.

Some pics slip out of the iPhone 4G

The iPad looks like the iPhone. Oh wait, not anymore. If these pictures are legit and there is very little reason to believe they aren’t then the iPhone will have it’s first visible redesign since it’s inception.  Another pic after the break:

Review: Palm Pre

  One phone that seems to have suffered almost every failing that could come to it is the Palm Pre. A phone we have been excited about playing with for an extended period since its first announcement. So what is our take on the Palm Pre, Precious or Preposterous.

Vodafone and 3 offer best value for money for roaming in South Africa

Consumer Focus calculated costs for an English mobile phone user in South Africa on a realistic match day scenario. The scenario used is as follows: Phoning home in the morning to speak to partner / kids – 5 mins, calling a friend in to arrange where to meet before the game – 3 mins, 6 texts during the game, a call home to bemoan a 4-3 loss or celebrate a Rooney hat trick – 7 mins, uploading 10 pictures to the On Tour with England blog site, calling to say goodnight to partner / kids – 2 mins.

3 £39.80
O2 £76.25 (contract) £79.77 (pre-pay)
Orange £107.65
T-Mobile £102.90
Tesco Mobile £97.53
Virgin Mobile £68.50 (contract) £81 (pre-pay)
Vodafone £30.69 (contract) £31.53 (pre-pay)

Cut price roaming charges for the World Cup

The English FA has named its SIM provider for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa to help cut mobile roaming charges during the tournament.

0044 Ltd will provide the FA with South African SIM card and data cards that allow free incoming calls and outgoing calls starting from 19p/min. This will save as much as 80 per cent on call costs, 0044 said.

The FA has a large team on the ground in South Africa in support of the England team’s efforts at the World Cup finals. 0044 said with a tournament as significant as the World Cup it’s vital that the FA’s management team is able to operate in South Africa in the same way they would as if it were a tournament based at Wembley.

0044’s Angus MacLeod said: “Over the years we’ve managed to help thousands of business and leisure travellers avoid roaming charges by providing a simple and easy to use local solutions.

“However, with big sporting events like the World Cup in South Africa it means that organisations like the FA require specialist equipment to help manage the administrative activities which are critical to the smooth running of the England team’s efforts at the 2010 World Cup finals. We’re proud to be associated with the FA and wish them and the England squad every success in the tournament.”